SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With the state facing a near-record drought and a summer expected to be hotter than normal, elected leaders joined with the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and regional leaders throughout California today to kick off a new statewide education campaign, Energy Upgrade California. At events in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco, officials introduced Energy Upgrade California as the state's new energy management education campaign, which will help Californians manage their energy usage, save money, and help California "stay golden" by meeting the state's groundbreaking climate goals.

"Across the state, we are asking all Californians to learn more about how they manage their energy and water usage, which are important resources upon which our lives depend," said Michael R. Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission. "Reduced water supply and warm weather challenge the aging infrastructure that undergirds our economy and quality of life, while advances in real-time energy data access and smart grid, solar, battery, and electric vehicle technologies bring new opportunities. Increasingly, Californians must make choices to use energy and water wisely and invest in keeping our great state golden. We want to help them understand these choices for their own benefit for all our communities."

"California already has one of the more energy efficient economies in the world, and we have proven time and again that when asked and given the tools, we can conserve and protect our important natural resources, but we are at a critical time with just five and half years to meet our state's energy and carbon pollution reduction goals," said Robert B. Weisenmiller, Chair of the California Energy Commission. "This summer it is especially important for us each to play our part with major power plants like the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station no longer operating, expected hot weather, and reduced snowpack."

"Recently, we were called upon by the Governor to reduce, conserve, and work together to effectively manage our precious water and electricity resources," said Commissioner Catherine J. K. Sandoval of the California Public Utilities Commission. "We all can play a part with actions big and small, such as upgrading to LED bulbs, installing low-flow showerheads, getting solar electricity or water heating, or buying the most efficient Energy Star appliances. What may seem like little things can add up to make a difference – when all Californians take action."

The Energy Upgrade California campaign will engage Californians to better manage energy and water, which will not only help the state meet its energy and carbon pollution reduction goals, but also save Californians money and make their homes more comfortable. The effort will include a multi-cultural advertising campaign, a comprehensive website, retail education, community-based outreach and education, digital activation, and social media. Energy Upgrade California will make it easier for households and small business owners to learn about the state's energy and climate-related policies, find ways to manage their energy use, explore renewable energy and time of use rate options, find energy efficient products and services, as well as how to respond to statewide calls to reduce power usage.

Californians can visit www.energyupgradeca.org to learn about how they can take steps to use and manage energy at home and at work. These include easy actions such as using advanced smart strips to stop standby power, replacing inefficient light bulbs with energy saving bulbs, and installing smart thermostats and home energy monitors. Californians can also follow Energy Upgrade California on Facebook and Twitter to continually learn about energy management, upcoming events, contests, and more.

Energy Upgrade California™ is a state initiative to help Californians take action to save energy and conserve natural resources, help reduce demand on the electricity grid, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. It is supported by an alliance of the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, utilities, regional energy networks, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to help communities meet state and local energy and climate action goals. Funding comes from investor-owned utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.